July 31, 2006

Hello Everyone . . . .

Well, it’s hot hot hot out there today, so Jill and I decided to stay indoors and write our newsletter. We’re sure you’re aware that the city has notified everyone that water restrictions will begin August 1^st. This certainly isn’t the way we planned it to be, but there simply has been no rain. We will be bringing up the issue with the rest of Council regarding starting the year out each year with the restrictions in place, rather than starting mid-summer. We think in this arid climate, it’s probably an issue we’ll be dealing with for many years to come and we might as well get used to it. We’ll keep you posted on how that goes.

We have some really GOOD news to tell you. Council passed on second reading last Thursday night the funding for replacement of the asphalt trail and installation of landscaping from Huron West to the city limits on the north side of 104^th. The landscaping will include water conserving plantings and trees that are drought tolerant. This stretch of 104^th has long been a point of concern to both of us, and we’ve received many complaints about the deteriorated condition. This project will certainly improve this major showcase corridor of Northglenn, and will make our city much more attractive. A good portion of the funding comes from Adams County Open Space money which you are currently being sales taxed at the rate of 0.5%, along with grant money that we applied for last year. So . . you all recently received the Adams County Annual Report. You can see the award listed on page 29. Other trails included in this project for replacement are the trail at Wyco Park, and the trail at J.D. Cayton Park, adjacent to Hillcrest School. Jill and I are really happy to tell you this good news.

Our current interim City Manager, Leslie Cullen resigned unexpectedly this week. She will be replaced by Steve Zoet, our Parks and Recreation Director. The search for a new City Manager is on track, and we will be reviewing the applications next week. The process will become public when we finalize down to three individuals. Stay tuned.

First, we want you to know that the Code Officers report big improvements in neighborhoods which means citizens are making great efforts to help the city with this program.

Statistics for Ward IV are as follows:

Total number of homes in the Ward: 1204

Total number of homes receiving a postcard: (no violations) 533 (60%)

Total number of homes receiving a notice of violation: 349 (40%)

The Clean Sweep program has completed three of the four sections of Ward IV that were described for program purposes. There has been some additional grace time for compliance now that we have initiated water restrictions.

The Ward IV home page (Northglenn.org then Quick Links then E government then E newsletters) has the current ward crime statistics posted quarterly under “Ward Data”. Check it out . . here’s the information we posted from the Police Department for the last two quarters of 2006. We’re always amazed at these figures. We assume included in these figures was the armed burglary at McDonald’s recently.

Tuesday night August 1^st is the citywide event in our neighborhoods. The city has 40 neighborhood gatherings scheduled. If your area is hosting a gathering, please take the opportunity to meet your neighbors and learn about them. Knowing your neighbors and their usual habits is an excellent way to prevent crime and keep an eye on each other’s properties.

It appears the Board for the District will again have a mill levy question on the November ballot. If you recall, it was defeated in the last election. The Northglenn branch on Huron is again in jeopardy. I encourage you all to pay attention to what’s going on regarding the ballot proposal, and to get involved in voicing your opinions when the opportunity arises. Your Council will be inviting the District Director to meet with us in the near future in order to discuss the planning process they have in mind. Again, stay posted on this one.

We’ll have some really good news to tell you in the next few weeks regarding a couple of retailers coming to the city. Can’t spill any beans yet.

As you know the Albertsons at 104^th and Huron officially is closed. Our development staff is meeting with the building owner to discuss the future of the site. We have heard from many of you that you would really like to see another grocery locate in that spot. We’ve let staff know this, and trust they will work the best possible replacement for this aging store site. More information will come to you as we know it.

We have begun the budget review process, and the capital improvement projects will be selected for next year as a part of it. Early this year, Council prioritized the Croke reservoir shoreline and Huron Street repair/overlay as a first priority. I hope that this will continue to be a signature project in the city, but we’ll need to look at all the other priorities that are looming for our immediate attention. We’re grateful that the citizens were willing to come out this winter and tell us what their preferences were during the two community meetings. It has really helped us to keep that focus in the Croke/Huron planning.

It appears we will have a ballot question (possibly more) for this November’s election. We have the opportunity to ask the citizens to approve modifications and improvements to the Recreation Center. We will fill you in more specifically as we get closer to the text of the ballot question. Please email or call us regarding what exactly you would like to see us add or replace at the Center. We’ve already gotten lots of feedback, and we’d love to get lots more. This really does help us determine what kinds of facilities you want us to build. So far, there has been interest expressed in a new Senior Center with commercial kitchen, a leisure pool for children, new locker rooms, and better workout facilities. The ballot question will list exactly what the money would be spent for. We'll be discussing the Recreation Center ballot question this Thursday night (Aug. 3) so come and listen.

Once again, please print this newsletter for your neighbors that don’t have computers or forward it to those who may not be subscribed yet. Encourage them to get signed up !!

At Your Service,

Rosie Garner and Jill Parsons